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3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

A. RAMEL & W. W. DEAN. ELECTRIC SYNGHRONIZING APPARATUS F03. GLoGKs. No. 365,023.

Patented June 14, 1887,.

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(No Model.) `3 sneets-sheet 21.

A. RAMI-1L 8v W. W. DEAN. ELECTRIC SYNCHRCNIZINC APPARATUS PCR CLOCKS.

No. 365,023. Patented June 14, 1887.

(No Model.) v 3 Sheets'-Sheet 3j A. RAMEL & W. W. DEAN.

ELECTRIC SYNCHRCNIZINC APPARATUS PCR CLOCKS.

NC. 365,023. Patented June' 14, 1887.

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UNITED STATESl PATENT Ormea,

ALFRED RAM-EL AND ILLIAM W'. DEAN, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNORS OF ONE-HALF TO PAUL BAKEWELL, OF SAME PLACE.

ELECTRIC SYNCHRON'IZING APPARATUS FOR CLOCKS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 365,023, dated June 14, 1887.

Application filed March 1, 1887. Serial No. 229,283. (No model.)

To all whom, t may concern;

Be it known thatwe, ALFRED RAMEL and WILLIAM W. DEAN, citizen-s of the United .lo clock-synchronizing apparatus, whereby a current of electricity transmitted once every hour from any central clock which is presumably on correct time is caused to synchronize a clock (or clocks) with which the apparatus is directly combined by drawing its minute-hand at such times preferably to the point of twelve (but,

if desired, to any other point) on the dial, and

simultaneously causing the seconds-hand to be brought to the point indicating the sixtieth zo second on its dial.

On the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is i'ront elevation of a clock iitted with our improved synchronizing devices; Fig. 2, a side elevation thereof; Fig. 3, a detached view of parts of Figs. l and 2; Fig. 4, a section on line l l in Fig. 3; Fig. 5, a detached front elevation of the synchronizing apparatus, with the immediately combined parts of the clock as shown in Figs. l and 2, and Fig. 6, a sectional` 30 plan taken on line 2 2 in Fig. 5, like letters of reference denoting like parts in all the figures.

Our invention consists in a combination of devices composed of bars or arms a ,which are arranged vertically in the same plane and at a suitable distance apart within the framework of the clock to be synchronized, one on each side oi a iiat parallel-sided cross-bar, l, which is formed on or attached to the minutehand shaft c at right angles thereto, and inthe '4o same direction as the minute-hand d.

Each bar or arm c is secured at its upper end to a plate, e, which carries an electro-magnet, f, having a pole-piece,g. The two plates c are hinged together at lz., (or otherwisa) so that the outer ends of the pole-pieces g of the magnets f are immediately opposite to each other, the whole being carried by the overhead irame-work t, which may either be an eX- tension of the clock frame-work, as shown, or

au independent fixture, according to circum` 5o stances.

Normally, or when unaffected by passing electric current, the magnets f, with their pole pieces f/ and the bars or arms c, pivoted at h, are lgept apart, as seen in Fig. 5, by spiral (or other) springs j, which are connected at one end to the bars or arms a, and at the other end to any fixed point-such as the outer casing of theY clock-in which position of the bars or arms a the flat-sided cross-bar b on the min- 50 utc-hand shaft c is free to rotate with the lat,- ter unobstructed. The bars or arms a are further retaincd apart by a block or distancepiece, k, which is caused to pass up between the bars or arms a at their lower ends by a spring, Z, fulcrumed to the clock-frame, and is depressed clear of the bars or arms a, as hereinafter more particularly described, bya cam,

m, which projects from the minute-hand shaft c in line with the iiatsided cross-bar b. 0

The limit of separation permitted to the bars or arms c is adjustable, as required, by setscrews a,which work through the upper framework, and form stops to the plates c when these are thrown upward by the separation of vthe magnets f.

Hinged atone end to the clock framework and extending across and beyond the faces (or backs) of the bars or arms c in a plane parallel with the latter and at right angles to the 8o escapement-spindle o is a tumbler-lever, p, the lower edge of which at a certain distance from the fulcrum is rabbeted, the rabbeted portion sloping upward and forward from the fulcrum and thence straight and parallel, or there- 8 5 about, with the upper edge of the lever p to the outer or free end of the latter. Through a slotted hole, q, formed through the tumblerlever p, the escapement-spindle o passes, the relative positions of these parts being such 9o that when the bars or arms c are separated, as above described, and the escapement r is engaged with its wheel s during the ordinary working of the clock, the escapement-spindle o will behorizontal and the tumbler-lever p supported on a pin, t, which projects from the face of one of the bars or arms a and passes beneath the straight horizontal portion of the rabbeted edge of the tumbler-lever p; or the tumbler-lever p may be supported by an adjacent portion of the clock-rrame, the pin t being at the same time in contact with the edge of the lever p, as described.

The synchronizing of the clock is effected by means of the above-described'apparatus in the following manner: During the working of the clock, so long as the electro-magnets f are not influenced by a passing current of electricity, the bars or arms a remain separated, as described. At some minutes before the hour the cam m on the minute-hand shaft c begins to depress the block or distance-piece k, as

seen in Fig. 5, until the latter is clear of the ends of the bars or arms a, which will occur at about five minutes (more or less) before the hour, as indicated by the clock. At the exact hour as given bythe central regulating-clock 2O a current of electricity is passed through the electro-magnets j', and, attracting their polepieces g together, causes the magnets f and bars or arms a to converge on the hinge h. In so doing the inner opposite edges of the bars or arms a close upon the flatsides, respectively,

of the cross-bar b 011 theminute-hand shaftc, and if the minute-hand d is on slow or fast time-013 in other words, to the left or right of the point of l2 on the dial-the flat-sided cross-bar bis constrained by this closing action of the bars or arms a to the vertical position, and with it the minute-hand d to the point of l2 on the dial. Simultaneously the projecting pin t on the bar or arm a, striking and press- 5 ing inwardly against the beveled portion of the rabbeted lower edge of the tumbler-lever 1), raises the latter radially to its fulcrum, and tilting with it the escapement-spindie o (which has a slot formed above its bearing at one end to permit of the movement) lifts the escapement r out of engagement with its wheel s, which being thereby released is partially rofated by the clock-work until the secondshand points to the sixtieth second on its dial,

when the escapement-wheel s is momentarily stopped during the continuance of the electric current by-a pin, fu., which projects from the face of the escapement-wheel s (see Figs. 2 and 5) and comes against a stop,.c, projecting backward from one of the bars or arms a.-

On the cessation of the electric current the bars or arms a are again separated by the springs j, and in so doing release the flat-sided cross-bar I) on the minute-hand shaft c, which is then free to rotate with the minute-hand d 6o allows the escapement r to again engage with its wheel s. At the same instant also the stop c on the bar or arm a is removed from beneath the projecting pin u on the face of the eseapement-wheel s, which is then free to rotate, subject to the action of the escapement i', as before. On the minute-hand d traversing the space of about five minutes (more or less) on the dial after the hour, the cam m on the minute-hand shaft c becomes clear of the block or distance-piece k, which is then returned by the springZ to its normal position between the lower ends of the bars or arms a.

F-or enabling the bars or arms a to be passed downward between the front and back plates of the clock, so as to economize space and simplify the construction of the synchronizing apparatus, we divide the minute-hand shaft c into two parts, as seen in Figs. 2 and 3, one

part, which carries the usual gearing, fw, being mounted permanently between the back plate of the clock-frame and an inner bearing-plate, zr, through which it projects, this projecting portion being of reduced diameter and formed near its shoulder at the bearing m with a flange,

y. rEhe other part of the minute-hand shaft c carries the flat-sided cross-bar b, cam m., minnte-hand d, and hour-hand with its usual appendages, and passes through the front plate of the clock, from which it can be removed, if desired. lts inner end is bored out or formed with a cylindrical recess, a, which is passed onto the projecting reduced end of the permanent part of the shaft c until stopped by the ilange y thereon.

For obtaining the necessary friction between the divided ends of the minute-hand shaft c, a flat spring, a', is attached at one end to the removable part of the shaft, and. thence pro jecting outward is bent over and back to the shaft c, where its other end is formed with a fork, b, (see Fig. 4,) which, when constrained to pass over the permanent part of the shaft c, between its flange 'y and the shoulder at the bearing x, isin a state of tension, and, pressing against the flange y, maintains the latter and the removable end of the shaft c in frictional contact at all times.

Although our improved synchronizing apparatus is here described as in combination with a speciallyconstructed minute -hand shaft, c, it `is equally applicable to any ordinary minute-hand shaft.

)Ve claim as our inventionl. In a clock-synchronizing apparatus, the combination, with the'minute-hand shaft c, (or the ordinary minute-hand shaft, when so used,) having flat-sided cross-bar b, of arms or bars a, plates c, hinged to frame-work vi, and electromagnets f, carried by said plates, and having pole-pieces g, substantially as shown, and for the purpose described.

2. In a clock-synchronizing apparatus, the combination, with the minute-hand shaft c, (or ordinary minute-hand sh aft,) having flat-sided cross-bar b, of bars or arms a, plates e, hinged to frame-work i, electro-magnets j", carried by said plates and having pole-pieces g, set-screws a, and spiral (or other) springsj, substantially as shown, and for the purpose described.

3. ln a clock-synchronizing apparatus, the combination, with the minute-hand shaft c, (or ordinary minute-hand shaft,) having flat-sided ICO IIO

cross-bar I) and cam m, of bars or arms a, plates e, hinged to frame-work i, electro-magnetsf, carried by said plates and having pole-pieces g, set-screws n, spiral (or other) springs j block or distance-piece 7c, and spring Z, fulcrurned to clock-frame, substantially as shown, and for the purpose described.

4. In a clock-synchronizing apparatus, the combination, with the minute-hand shaft c, (or ordinary minute-hand shaft,) having Hat-sided cross-bar b, of bars or arms a, having projecting pin t and stop o, plates e, hinged to framework i, electro-magnets f, carried by said plates and having pole-piecesg, set-screws n, spiral (or other) springs j, tumbler-lever p, fulcruined to clock-frame, escapement-spindle o, escapernentr, and its wheel s, having project-ing stop u, substantially as shown, and for the purpose described.

5. In a clock-synchronizing apparatus, the combination, with the minute-hand shaft c, (or ordinary minute-hand shaft,) having flat-sided cross-bar b and cam m, of bars or arms a, having projecting pin 't and stop n, plates e, hinged to frame-work z', electro-magnets f, carried by 2 5 said plates and having pole-pieces g, set-screws n, spiral (or other) springs j, block or distancepiece k, spring Z, fulcrumed to clock-frame, tumbler-leverp, escapementspindle 0, escapement r, and its wheel s, having projecting stop 3o u, substantially as shown, and for the purpose described.

6. Ina clock-synchronizing apparatus substantially as described, the combination of the minute-hand shaft c, divided into two parts 35 andhaving Hat-sided cross-bar b, flange y, recess z, and spring a', formed with fork b', substantially as shown, and for the purpose described. A v

In testimony Whereoftve affix our signatures 4o in presence of two witnesses this 26th day of February, 1887.

ALFRED RAMEL. VILLIAM W. DEAN.

Witnesses:

S. L. SGHRADER, EDWIN SAUTER. 

